Welcome to the twenty ninth blog post for TheLawyerFiles!
Thank you, as always, for subscribing and following the journeys of legal changemakers. Each edition brings you honest reflections, practical insights, and powerful stories from individuals shaping the future of law with purpose and creativity.
✨ In this edition, we feature Naomi Owolabi — Future Trainee Solicitor at BCLP, Durham Law graduate, and international student whose journey reflects resilience, self-belief, and the determination to thrive in spaces where doubt and imposter syndrome often linger.
From being inspired by Legally Blonde to exploring criminal justice and human rights, Naomi’s path evolved into a passion for commercial law, shaped by her studies at Durham and her dissertation on the legality of the Biafra War. Her experience on the BCLP Summer Vacation Scheme — with seats in Core Real Estate and Commercial Construction — not only challenged her but also confirmed her desire to build a career in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
Naomi speaks candidly about the challenges of being from an underrepresented background, the importance of positive self-talk, and why believing in yourself can be more powerful than the most polished application. She reminds us that everyone’s journey is unique, and there is no single timeline to success.
If you have ever struggled with imposter syndrome, questioned your own timing, or wondered how to transform doubt into confidence, Naomi’s story is proof that persistence and self-belief can turn ambition into opportunity.
Let’s dive in 🚀
1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in law, and how did your time at Durham shape that ambition?
Truthfully, I watched ‘Legally Blonde’ for the first time as a child and wanted to be like Elle Woods. I wanted to prove people wrong by just being great, and most importantly by being me. I followed the ‘you argue a lot, you should be a lawyer’ trope, and found that I actually did enjoy law. My initial interest in law was in criminal justice and human rights (which I’m still passionate about now) but I came to like the more commercial/ corporate side of law at university. Durham was extremely formative for me because it gave me the chance to prove that I deserve to be in certain spaces. Being a Black woman and growing up in a lower socio-economic background, it’s easy to let imposter syndrome take over, but being at Durham really taught me how to get over that internal voice and speak life into myself and my efforts. In some twisted way, it drew me closer to wanting a training contract.
2. What was your experience like on the BCLP Summer Vacation Scheme, particularly in your seats in Core Real Estate and Commercial Construction?
My vacation scheme really cemented the fact that I genuinely wanted to pursue a career in law. Simply being in the environment was consolidating enough for me. It was really interesting to see the actual day-to-day work of lawyers, not just what you hear people talk about or see on a legal website. It was super challenging but also really enriching, which is just the type of work I want to do. I enjoyed both of my seats during my vac scheme. Before I started, someone told me that Commercial Construction is like Core Real Estate on steroids, and that was super accurate. I thoroughly enjoyed being on both teams, but my week in Commercial Construction really challenged me and considering I had no clue what they did in the team prior, I was pleasantly surprised!
3. What first attracted you to commercial law?
I didn’t grow up around lawyers but I was always drawn to legal discussions – some of my earliest memories involve my dad and uncles debating Nigeria’s history, politics, and legal implications at family gatherings, which had a huge influence on my decision to write my dissertation on the legality of the Biafra War. It was in second year while studying Land Law that I really began considered a career in commercial law.
4. What advice would you give to students from underrepresented backgrounds aspiring to enter the legal sector?
Believe in yourself. That is the biggest piece of advice I can give anyone. Being from an underrepresented background means that you’re constantly met with people doubting you, statistics doubting you, and the worst thing you can do is doubt yourself. I was extremely doubtful of whether or not I’d make it this far and I saw real change internally when I started to speak positively about the experiences I wanted. I’ve been doubted more times than I can count but now, because I know who I am and what I want for myself, I’m able to tune that out. You can do it. If I can do it, then you can. Believing in yourself is even stronger than the most well-written application! Also, you are not behind. Your journey is your own, and just because you don’t have a TC straight out of uni, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.
5. Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you first started your law degree?
How long and tiring this whole process would be! It doesn’t even stop when you get the TC. I think I always knew it would be tough but I didn’t anticipate how tough it would be until I started. I also wish I knew that there’s no rush. I got my TC a year after I graduated and it felt like I was behind everyone but I wasn’t. I was just on my own timing.
Naomi Owolabi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-owolabi-42988225a/
Future Trainee Solicitor at BCLP | Durham University Law (LLB) Graduate
I hope Naomi’s journey has inspired you, especially if you are navigating law school, facing imposter syndrome, or questioning whether your timing in securing opportunities is “right.”
Her story is a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out straight away to make an impact. Whether it was being inspired by Legally Blonde, overcoming self-doubt at Durham, or thriving on her BCLP Vacation Scheme, Naomi shows us that resilience, self-belief, and persistence are just as powerful as any polished application.
From embracing her international student experience to discovering her passion for commercial law, she reminds us that growth often comes from backing yourself, finding your voice, and trusting that your journey unfolds on your own timeline.
🎧 Stay tuned — our podcast episode with Naomi is coming soon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible (The Lawyer Files), where we talk about overcoming imposter syndrome, breaking into commercial law, and what it really means to thrive as an international student in the UK legal profession.
We will also explore her reflections on the BCLP vacation scheme, her advice for aspiring solicitors from underrepresented backgrounds, and the lessons she’s carrying forward into her training contract.
Make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss it.
Until next time — stay ambitious, stay resilient, and keep building your path with purpose 🎙️📚⚖️
Denice Obeng 🙂
